Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Awa's African Braids Express

    4.4 (46 reviews)
    ModerateHair Salons
    Closed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

    By appointment only

    Services - Awa's African Braids Express

    Haircut

    Awa's African Braids Express Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Awa's African Braids Express

    Recommended Reviews - Awa's African Braids Express

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Kelly P.

    Did a beautiful job on my hair. I asked for a certain size (because I wanted to stay within my price range) but she felt it would be too heavy for my hair so she went with a smaller one. I completely trusted her to make that call and it was definitely the right decision. She added silver/gray to my braids and they look AMAZING!! Added bonus, at 6 weeks she do a touch up!

    Andrea M.

    I've had my hair done her 2x now and she has braided my sons hair for like 5 years. They always do their best to get you in and accommodate you. The hair always looks amazing the staff is very friendly and helpful I enjoy coming to get my hair done I would recommend this salon for all your hair care needs and supplies

    Final box braids
    Vaishali J.

    Love what she did to my hair. Box braids with extension, laces and beads. Plus point is that hair accessory store is just 2 blocks away from this place so you can come an hour early and get some accessories/extensions yourself for your braid! Also, the address on Yelp is incorrect. Her real address is 2000 23rd av south Seattle Wa 98144

    Michelle O.

    I have now gone twice to see miss Awa and she does an amazing job both times. I recommend her for your next appointment.

    Ombré Rows
    Brianna H.

    The only place I'll go to have my hair braided. Awa is kind, quick, and professional - worth every dollar! I have been going here for years and always leave feeling like a queen. Braids have lasted up to 3 months with my hair type.

    Singles done by Awa
    Kathleen B.

    I am so glad I found Awa! She was absolutely wonderful and so beautiful inside and out. I drove 3 hours for her services and will continue to do so anytime I need braiding done! I paid a bit more than I was expecting to but the results were worth every penny. I've had braids previously from someone else and had a painful experience and sat for many hours but with Awa, she was FAST and I had no pain on my scalp and was able to style my hair easily the next day! Awa, you are a treasure and I look forward to seeing you again soon!!

    Daniel A.

    Me and my family just moved to Seattle 6months ago from Houston and was looking for hair stylist for the women of the house. We was calling all around and found Awa's African braiding shop Ooooooo my she was awesome professional and super nice. My wife and daughter love her to death. She'll always call back if she's busy rite away and if her schedule is booked she would refer you to someone who's not. But she does such a wonderful job they refuse to go anywhere else. I highly recommend her service as a professional and a super nice individual. The prices are good and she'll help you come up with a new style.

    Box braid by Awa

    I have been seen Awa for hair care since 2015, and she continues to deliver the best hair braiding experience one can ask for. This time I got medium/small box braids. It has been 2 weeks since install and I have not lost one braid. Previously (at other shops) my braids would be too tight and Id get the bumps around the braids, so I have hssitant to go bavk to braiding. But Awa did a great job, worked very quickly, and treated my problem edges tenderly! Once again, Awa, I am a very very satisfied customer!

    Disregard the baby bottle. LOVE my braids!
    Soraya W.

    Today for the first time I got my hair braided by Awa. She not only was able to fit me in this weekend for singles but was extremely fast. I have very thick hair and a ton of it. She had me out the door in under 5hrs (other braider have taken 12hrs on average for a shorter style). She can supply the hair if you don't want or know how to pick out your own. She is cash only so i suggest stopping prior to coming in. Love my hair and will be going back as well as referring my entire family.

    Laura S.

    Okay. Two VITAL pieces of information about this braid shop. Firstly, their address is 2000 23rd Avenue South Seattle 98144.Secondly, Sara braided my hair (Senegalese twists) and she was neat, tender (didn't leave my scalp burning), meticulous, FAST and most notably VERY pleasant to be around! I'm so happy with my experience here - I would not look elsewhere for braiding in the Seattle area!

    Invisible Crochet braids by Awa
    A M.

    I can't say enough good things about my experience today at Awa's. I made my appointment yesterday after deciding I wanted a protective style for the winter. I walked out less than two hours later with perfect crochet braids. The shop was clean and the conversation was great.

    See all

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gina B.
    0
    20
    13

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cheryl C.
    181
    76
    74

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mali I.
    110
    17
    1

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    11 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Barb S.
    9
    70
    87

    7 years ago

    Amazing craftsmanship with wonderful service. Awa is a lovely individual who knows what the customer wants based on what says.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of A M.
    13
    5
    1

    11 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amy S.
    264
    4
    4

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Great job and awesome service.. My locs came out perfect!I will definitely go back again.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Awa did a beautiful job on my baby girls hair!! It lasted through summer camp! Definitely going back to get lil'mama summer ready!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Senhora K.
    110
    246
    229

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Been going to Awa on and off since 2011 and she does phenomenal work each and every time.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of S S.
    0
    2
    0

    13 years ago

    Absolutely loved my hair. She has skills, very professional, and more. Highly recommended!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    I love love this place. Super neat braids and such a nice lady. My husband loved them, can't wait to get them done again.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Awa's African Braids Express

    Review Highlights - Awa's African Braids Express

    It would have been an hour or so earlier had I come prepared as in hair prepped for braiding.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Hair Salons 26,387 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Salon Voda - Salon Voda

    Salon Voda

    4.1(46 reviews)
    1.8 miSouth Lake Union
    $$

    I have been coming to Silvia for over 10 years! I come all the way up from LA and she is the ONLY…read moreone that I let touch my hair. She has the best technique, if you want, she will help you push your boundaries or if you want to play it safe, she will give you a comfortable and stylish cut. But the main reason I have stayed with her for so long is because she is good for the soul. I come out of Salon Voda with a new hair cut and a new positive outlook on life. I know, it sounds cheesy, but Silvia has one of the most positive and realest outlooks on life. I can't tell if I enjoy our conversations more or my new hair! My mother, my sister and half of Magnolia goes to Silvia. Call Salon Voda and ask for her. She is amazing.

    Made an appointment for a hair donation I double checked with registration if they're really ok…read morewith someone coming in at 11am on Christmas Eve. They told me there was an appointment at 10am already scheduled. I come here at 10:45am, it's closed. And now it is 11am. No one there. Kind of not cool. Was looking forward to donating my hair. I didn't receive an email or phone cancelation either. I confirmed my appointment in the email as well. My advice, if you can't show up, call me or email me. Also, it's especially not cool when it's a hair donation for a kid. I understand life happens, but I drove 1 hr for this. The least you can do is inform me of a cancelation. Also, just to add, I was also getting charged for the cut too. So the stylist was suppose to get paid/tipped.

    Photos
    Salon Voda - Blonde Balayage done by Brooke

    Blonde Balayage done by Brooke

    Salon Voda - Beautiful Copper balayage

    Beautiful Copper balayage

    Salon Voda - Mixed Brunette Balayage done by Brooke

    See all

    Mixed Brunette Balayage done by Brooke

    Red Chair Salon - Hair by Haley. November 2025.

    Red Chair Salon

    4.5(300 reviews)
    0.8 miCapitol Hill
    $

    The people who work here are angels. I had a hair emergency that kept getting worse because every…read moresalon I contacted couldn't book an ASAP appointment and didn't seem to care. My hair had gotten so tangled that it was matted, I had really long hair that was difficult to manage. I was devastated by the thought of losing all my hair- I felt that mu femininity was wrapped up in having long hair. The empathy of the receptionist and stylist blew me away. They got me in for a consult the next day, showed genuine care and concern that made the awful situation seem less dire. I was reassured that I would not need a Natalie Portman in V for Vendetta haircut. I ended up really, really liking the cute cut they gave me- it made me not mind having short hair! The ladies at Red Chair rescued me from Hair Hell, and I am so grateful to them! Will be coming back for other services!

    I booked a double process touch-up with a senior stylist. After I booked, I was reassigned to a…read morestylist with no experience (Haley). I had not known that otherwise I would have rejected the appointment. My hair lifts easily, and Haley noted that. Despite that, she used too strong a developer and damaged my hair beyond belief. Not only that. She missed half of my head with toner. She noticed. And didn't tell me. She let me leave the salon with half of my head not toned. It's very noticeable from the back. I didn't see it at the appointment because she didn't show me the back - and now I know why. That's the worst of it, but she also didn't rinse my hair properly, so I still had product dried up and crusty in my hair. And she barely used any product while she blew out my hair on the highest heat, burning my scalp a couple of times and damaging my hair even more. And it was still a bit wet by the time I left. I'm usually pretty relaxed, so I didn't complain until after I went home and noticed that my head wasn't properly toned (which is also not that hard to do, I've done it myself during covid lockdowns - so it really is incredible that she messed up this bad and didn't say anything, hoping I wouldn't notice). Nothing about my experience with Haley was positive. Her work was incredibly sloppy, negligent, and dishonest. Edited to add (in response to Howie, the owner): You know the issue isn't with the toner itself - I did not see that she didn't do the back otherwise I obviously wouldn't have been "pleased". Again, you know this. I have a photo attached. You see how bad it is. I don't know why you're trying to act like that quality of service is okay. I didn't realize Red Chair's standards were so low, and I regret that I gave you all a shot :/ Also, I have to spend the holidays looking like this. So thanks for that.

    Photos
    Red Chair Salon
    Red Chair Salon - Photo on the left is what was requested. Photo on the right is what was received.

    Photo on the left is what was requested. Photo on the right is what was received.

    Red Chair Salon - Exterior at night

    See all

    Exterior at night

    Industry Salon

    Industry Salon

    4.5(343 reviews)
    1.1 miCapitol Hill
    $$

    Such a cutie salon and very LGBTQ+ friendly! My partner and I are both nonbinary, and Ava created…read moresome truly slay, gender-affirming haircuts and colors for both of us. I have to mention that Ava is AMAZING with curly hair. I spent over a year searching for someone who gets it, and now I've been going to Ava for over a year and still get compliments (even from random strangers on the street/in Costco). The whole staff is so kind and the vibes are immaculate: not chaotic, not too loud, just perfect. Highly recommend!

    This was my second time at Industry! Great location with immaculate Cap Hill friendly neighborhood…read morehipster vibes. It's been a while since I've written one of these for a haircut but this one was awesome. Andy helped me work out a plan for it and did a cut that gave my fine, very straight hair lots of movement, texture, and style even with my super low maintenance daily routine. It's been a week now since getting it cut, and sometimes when you do that first week (or even first wash) you have a moment where you're like "hey where'd all the cool haircut go, it's just mush again?" NOT SO. This one maintains great movement and texture even with just blow drying it the night before and tossing texturizer in it in the morning (which I got at a discount thanks to their welcome package). I also loved seeing all the different types of neighborhood people around--not just like fancy people getting their hair done but a really wide spectrum from older dudes to younger NB folx and femmes. TLDR: Great experience with a haircut from Andy (pic attached if you're interested) and really enjoyed the salon itself

    Photos
    Industry Salon
    Industry Salon - Before appointment #2: asked to remove copper tone and return to blonde.

    Before appointment #2: asked to remove copper tone and return to blonde.

    Industry Salon - What I went into Industry Salon with when I thought all hope was lost

    See all

    What I went into Industry Salon with when I thought all hope was lost

    Sensa Salon - Hair by Michelle!

    Sensa Salon

    4.7(618 reviews)
    1.6 miDowntown
    $$

    I have found my girl! Went to my first haircut appointment…read moreat SENSA SALON with Taylor this AM. She listened to my requests & comments. I also learned some new styling techniques from Taylor also. I opted for a deep conditioning, will last for up to 12 washes. Taylor really knows her stuff and this is what I've been trying to find! And the light rail made it easy peasy to get there too.

    Been here twice now. Over a year ago a woman cut my hair that no longer works here. I like that…read morethey have you ring a bell and then they buzz you in for safety. Beverages are offered and they use great products. However my second visit was just a few days ago with Sarah. What I asked for I got the complete opposite. She gave me a blow out so my hair looked beautiful leaving but the next day washing it seeing my natural waves and curls and really inspecting the cut. I look a bit chopped. The front was not face framing instead she gave me 4 steps. The front is uneven and choppy as heck. My hair is gone so no way to fix that and wouldn't trust her to fix it tbh so I have to take an expensive loss. I cried all night yesterday just looking at the front pieces. Just embarrassing. I paid a lot and tipped very well just for it to look like an amateur cut my hair. Don't come here. I regret coming here as I looked better with my dead ends. I could've cut my own hair better which I have. This was supposed to be a pick me up to make me feel beautiful now 2 days later I am in regret not feeling like how I should and wanted. Sooooo expensive and terrible results. Also they could've been friendlier. I felt she got tired blow drying my hair. They are supposed to be knowledgeable in long, thick hair, curly hair, wavy hair. I wanted to choose this stylist due to her good reviews but I really cannot recommend her or this salon. I don't like leaving bad reviews but I am distraught. Don't come here as you will cry tears of sadness not joy.

    Photos
    Sensa Salon
    Sensa Salon
    Sensa Salon - Inspo

    See all

    Inspo

    Falali Hair Salon - Haircut 1

    Falali Hair Salon

    4.6(76 reviews)
    1.4 miChinatown, Chinatown International District
    $$

    My go-to and the best hair stylist in Seattle! I've been going to Olivia for 4+ visits now at…read moreFalali in Chinatown, and she never disappoints. She's incredibly detail-oriented and especially great with Asian hair and cutting layers. She consistently makes my hair look voluminous and healthy. Olivia is also super sweet and speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. I really appreciate that she takes the time to teach you how to style your hair with a straightener, which is very convenient for everyday styling. The salon is also very affordable for a cut, wash, and blowout. I've recommended Olivia to three friends already, and they all loved their haircuts. Just a heads-up that it's a busy salon, so be sure to book an appointment in advance and expect a bit of a wait. Highly recommend!

    This review is for Olivia~ the Queen of haircuts! I absolutely love my new haircut! This is the…read morebest I've ever had and I'm slightly upset it took me this long to find Olivia! She is so kind, gentle, listens to what style you'd like and takes time to teach you how to style your new do. I came in with very long- more than ultra long hair today. It was thick, coarse, dull and full of split ends. I came across great Yelp reviews and thought I would make an appointment to try out a new place. Surely, i was not disappointed! Olivia began thoroughly washing my hair, with a nice scalp massage too. Once done and in the chair, we then discussed the style being I was looking for: long u shaped with lots of layers and face framing pieces. She used only scissors, no razors. Hair was wet and she sectioned off the hair to blow dry and cut. After she was done cutting, she used a flat iron to show me how to style the layers to make it look fresh and full of volume! It looks absolutely beautiful. I look so much younger too! Thank you so much Olivia! I highly recommend her for your haircuts and all other hair needs!

    Photos
    Falali Hair Salon - Door front of Falali Hair Salon

    Door front of Falali Hair Salon

    Falali Hair Salon
    Falali Hair Salon

    See all

    Awa's African Braids Express - hair - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...